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Specialist training for travel agents Tourism Trail

— Photo: By arrangement

New venture: Union Minister for Tourism Kumari Selja launching Kerala Tourism’s ‘Kerala Specialist’ online training programme at the World Travel Mart in London recently.

The Kerala Tourism has launched an online training programme for travel agents in the United Kingdom. Agents who enlist for the ‘Kerala Specialist’ programme can become ‘India destination specialists’ as they will get to know the unique tourism products of the State, sources said.

The venture was launched by Union Minister for Tourism Kumari Selja at the World Travel Mart (WTM) 2009 in London on Tuesday.

The aim is to help travel agents and tour operators in the U.K. use the additional knowledge acquired as a tool to boost tourism.

The programme is designed to tap the market by reaching out to 40,000 travel agents in the U.K., says State Tourism Secretary V. Venu. The U.K. is the largest source market for international tourist arrivals (from the country) to the State. As many as 1,41,147 arrivals were registered in the State in 2008 which is a 17 per cent growth over the previous year.

“More tourism boards are reaching out to the trade in key markets by assisting sellers increase their knowledge, capability and sales to their respective destinations,” Dr. Venu, who led the Kerala delegation to the four-day WTM that concluded on Thursday, said.

The U.K.-based travel agents who participate and complete the training will be awarded an official certificate by the Kerala Tourism and will be referred to as ‘Kerala Specialists.’

The programme could be one for other tourism boards to emulate. Kerala Tourism will extend the training programme to other markets soon, Dr. Venu said.

The six modules include in-depth details of the State’s history, culture and geography; its tourist attractions; tips and hints on how to sell Kerala as a destination; the State’s unique features etc.

The U.K. agents can use the expertise to create an itinerary for customers. It will improve their capability to plan, promote and sell quality Kerala holidays, sources said.

The ‘Kerala Specialist’ programme had been developed in conjunction with Travel Uni, the leading online training provider in the U.K. specialising in providing destination, cruise, resort and product-based training.

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

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